Atlantic City or Bust

So I had to go last week to the AAMVA Region I conference.  It was held in Atlantic City at the Trump Taj Mahal.  Atlantic City was nooooooooo Vegas.  Some things were okay but it was a little hot, in fact setting record heat temps while we were there.



The view outside my room of the Atlantic

The boardwalk

A super cool candy store.  That elephant is made entirely of M&Ms!!!

Its bulls and blood, its dust and mud, its the roar of the Friday crowd...

So on Friday night we decided to haul the family into the car and head to the annual Brazos Valley Rodeo!  There was a petting zoo that occupied the kiddos for a bit and Riley even got to climb on a horse with one of the Catalina Cowgirls.  The best part of the eveningwas the kid calf scramble.  Austin was super quick and almost had one caught but it slipped through his hands.



Hot Springs and Baton Rouge

For the 4th, we packed up and went to Hot Springs per usual.  Joyce and Dennis took Riley and Austin up a day early and Tracy, Abby and I went as soon as I got back from Region IV in Boise.  Denise, Katie and Alec were there as well.  It was fun as normal and was pretty nice weather.  We boated, skiied, tubed, toured downtown Hot Springs and ate tons of food.  Tracy, Denise and I also found time to take Austin, Katie and Alec to see the new Twilight.  Let me teall you that the theater was the smallest I had seen.

Abs reading a book on the front porch

Katie, can we go to the lake yet?

Austin kneeboarding...got it on his first try

Austin, Riley and "Little" Katie in the big tube

Playing with some poppers

The girls hanging out

Riley loving her some sparklers

Riley shooting off some fireworks with Aunt Denise

The cousins while exploring in downtown Hot Springs

Austin and Riley tubing

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After Hot Springs, we left and went to Baton Rouge.  I was hosting a baby shower for my cousin Emily.  We had it at Aunt Lillians.  What I failed to mention above is that during the trip, Abby learned how to crawl out her pack and play.  It made for a very tiring trip as she kept wanting to crawl in and out.  While in Baton Rouge we did nothing but eat (go figure) and visit with everyone.  On the way back to Texas we stopped to see my brother and his family.  Hailey and Andrew are getting so big (niece and nephew).

Austin and Andrew just a rocking

Riley and Hailey

There is no Z in Boise

My second AAMVA regional conference was Region IV in Boise, ID.  Now, I have to say that going to Boise had its down sides on the travel there.  Oscar and I had a 3 hour delay in Salt Lake City.  It was not fun but finally we made it to Boise.

On the first day they showed us a clip of Jewel singing a song and how there is no Z in Boise.  It was quite humorous.  Besides the great networking opportunities and information learned, we had plenty of time for fun as well.  Boise was a beautiful place with tons of greenery.  They had a day trip planned...well actually 3...you could go white water rafting, on a wine tour or golfing.  Oscar and I chose to go white water rafting.  It was a BLAST, but FREEZING.  3 of us in my group jumped in the water willingly and it definitely woke you up.  It was around 55 degrees but so much fun.

One of the nights they had a Basque Block Party where we dined on paella and spanish beers/wines and also enjoyed Basque entertainment!

I also got to see the infamous Boise State blue field and visited the State Capitol.  I will post pictures later that Oscar was so kind to take.  As soon as we got back, Tracy was there to pick me up so we could immediately head up to Hot Springs for the 4th.  However guess what....the airlines lost my bags again so now I have pretty much nothing to go with me on my trip...stay tuned to find out about the 4th.

Oklahoma City or Bust

Part of my new job as Government Relations Coordinator at iiX involves attending the AAMVA regional conferences.  My first conference was Region II hosted in Oklahoma City.  I do have to say that I have never imagined myself going to Oklahoma City for vacation, but it is a really nice time.  I went with one of my co workers, Oscar. 

When we first got there we walked around downtown and explored.  The trip involved several days of conferences, meals and networking.  I met some really nice people and think I will enjoy my travel opportunities.

Oscar and I had a free afternoon which we spent exploring downtown OKC.  We went to the art museum and to the Oklahoma City bombing site.  The coolest thing was the art museum.

blown glass exhibit

The most evently part of the trip was the return home.  My flight left OKC late and I got to IAH late and rushed to my next terminal thinking they might leave me only to find out that the flight was cancelled and the next one wasn't for 4 hours.  Ugh so I waited and left and then got to College Station only to have my bags not be there.  Luckily they came on the next flight but still...2nd trip in a row (NYC prior) that my bags weren't there when I landed.

Rock N Roll Baby!

So I have decided that I need to stay motivated in my exercise.  What I have decided to do is sign up for the Rock N Roll San Antonio Marathon.  It is on November 14 and although I said I would never do one because it is just crazy to run that long I went ahead and did it.  Both Tracy and Dennis are going to run too and our friend Damien is going to run the 1/2 marathon.

To help me with this endeavor, I have signed up for a local running group.  We meet on Saturday mornings and knock it out early in the morning.  I am thinking I can do this.  I think I can, I think I can.

Rock N Roll Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do the Du

This year as always, the James family packed up and went to Arkansas for Memorial Day weekend.  This year only Tracy signed up for the Du as I chickened out.  I felt I didn't train enough for it so I thought I would spectate.  We had fun with Joyce, Dennis and the Oklahoma James family.

Abs and Tracy hanging out at the boat entrance to Lake Hamilton

The Rob giving Luke some baseball tips

Let me out, let me out!!

Abby and Blue Baby watching the Du

Go Tracy Go!

Dennis is going strong

Rob, the fastest James, finishing up

Noah kicking some booty

This year we were so proud of Noah who by passed the kids du and signed up for the adult du.  It was tough, but he finished and we were happy for him!